Abstract: Novel Bacillus thuringiensis genes encoding toxins which are active against lepidopteran insects have been cloned from novel lepidopteran-active B. thuringiensis microbes. The DNA encoding the B. thuringiensis toxins can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes to express the B. thuringiensis toxins. These recombinant microbes can be used to control lepidopteran insects in various environments.

Abstract: An isolated esterase gene coding for an esterase capable of causing asymmetric hydrolysis of an organic carboxylic acid ester of a cyclopentenolone of formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl, and R.sub.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkynyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.9 aliphatic hydrocarbon moiety which may be optionally protected on the terminal hydroxyl group thereof, or a C.sub.5 -C.sub.9 fatty acid residue which may be optionally protected on the terminal carboxyl group thereof, to produce the cyclopentenolone of formula I in (R)-form, and hybridizing to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, is useful for the industrially favorable production of optically active cyclopentenolones of formula I which serve as the intermediates of drugs, agricultural chemicals or other active products.

Abstract: Disclose are human interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme like apoptosis proteases-3 and 4 and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using the polypeptides, for example, as an antitumor agent, and antiviral agent, and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides for example, for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and head injury. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention for detecting diseases are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions comprising DNA segments, and proteins derived from sea anemone species. More particularly, it concerns the novel ShK toxin, ShK toxin analogs, chemically-modified toxin analogs, and nucleic acid segments encoding the ShK toxin from Stichodactyla helianthus. Various methods for making and using these DNA segments, DNA segments encoding synthetically-modified ShK toxins, and native and synthetic ShK peptides are disclosed, such as, for example, the use of DNA segments as diagnostic probes and templates for protein production, and the use of proteins, fusion protein carriers and peptides in various immunological and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a human glutathione-S-transferase (HGST) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HGST. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of HGST.

Abstract: A human deoxycytidine kinase 2 polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for the treatment of malignancies and viral infections. Antagonist against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to treat immunodeficiency disorders are also disclosed. Diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to mutations in the hdCK2 nucleic acid sequence and the concentration of the polypeptide encoded by such nucleic acid sequence is also disclosed.

Abstract: Protein kinase mutant and wild-type genes encoding polypeptides of the class heretofore designated "casein kinase I" and useful in screening compositions which may affect DNA double-strand break repair activity are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods using the polynucleotides in cell-proliferative disorders.

Abstract: This invention provides non-naturally occurring and isolated naturally occurring nucleic acid molecules which encode proteins designated Yama. This invention also provides the polypeptides and proteins encoded by these nucleic acids as well as the purified native polypeptides or proteins. Also provided by this invention is a non-naturally occurring nucleic acid molecule encoding mutant CrmA protein and a dominant inhibitory Yama. Vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acid molecules are further provided. Methods of modulating a cellular function regulated by the Fas receptor pathway in a cell is provided herein. In one aspect, this method comprises introducing into the cell a nucleic acid molecule coding for a gene product having CrmA biological activity such as dominant inhibitory Yama or alternatively, the CrmA gene product. Yama nucleic acid molecules and proteins also can be introduced into the cell to modulate the cellular function regulated by the Fas receptor.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids which can confer on a cell at least a 5-fold increase in cisplatin resistance relative to a cisplatin sensitive cell are disclosed. The nucleic acids of the invention can farther confer on a cell resistance to heavy metals such as cadmium and copper. Isolated proteins encoded by the nucleic acids of the invention are also disclosed. The isolated nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful for conferring cisplatin resistance on a cell, for example non-malignant cells in a tumor bearing subject being treated with cisplatin. Alternatively, the cisplatin resistance of a cell can be inhibited by contacting the cell with an agent which inhibits the activity of the protein of the invention, for example to reverse the cisplatin resistance of a tumor cell. The invention also discloses methods for identifying substances which inhibit cisplatin resistance in a cell or which are chemosensitizers of cisplatin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to streptavidin proteins and peptides having a altered physical properties such as an increased stability or increased or decreased affinity for binding biotin. The invention also relates to methods for the detection, identification, separation and isolation of targets using streptavidin proteins or peptides. Streptavidin with increased or reduced affinity allows for the use of the streptavidin-biotin coupling systems for detection and isolation systems wherein it is necessary to remove of one or the other of the binding partners. Such systems are useful for the purification of functional proteins and viable cells. The invention also relates to nucleic acids which encode these streptavidin proteins and peptides and to recombinant cells such as bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells which contain these nucleic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises a sequence ranging from serine residue at the second position to proline residue at the 331st position in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid of the protein corresponds to serine residue at the second position of SEQ ID No. 1, a DNA encoding the protein, a transformant having the DNA, and a process for producing a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant in a medium. The protein can be produced in a large amount with the transformant using a host such as E. coli.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant staphylokinase polypeptides with plasminogen activator effect and to their production and use. The polypeptides are obtained by expression of DNA sequences which are free from signal-peptide-coding regions.

Abstract: A method of determining the sequence of monomers which is a conformational equivalent of an epitope which is complementary to a particular paratope of an antibody of interest, the method comprising the steps of: 1. synthesizing a plurality of catamer preparations; each of said catamer preparations consisting of a plurality of catamers in which the composition at one or more designated positions in each catamer is known, and the composition at the remaining positions is randomly made up from members of a defined set of monomers; and said plurality of catamer preparations comprising preparations in which the composition at the designated positions is systematically varied to contain members from a defined set of monomers; 2. contacting each of the plurality of catamer preparations with the antibody of interest; and 3.

Abstract: The taxadiene synthase gene of Pacific yew has been cloned and its nucleic acid and polypeptide sequence is presented. Truncation or removal of the transit peptide increases expression of the cloned taxadiene synthase gene expression in E. coli cells.

Abstract: Recombinant transferrin, non-glycosylated recombinant transferrin, transferrin half-molecules and mutant transferrins having altered metal-binding or other properties are described. The recombinant transferrin molecules are expressed in functional form by stable eukaryotic cell lines such as baby hamster kidney cells transformed with an expression vector encoding the recombinant molecule. The recombinant transferrins can be used in metal chelation therapy to bind and clear excess toxic metals in patients suffering from metal overloads or as tissue culture medium supplements or replacements.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding novel proteins, designated DPK. Also disclosed are amino acid sequences for DPK polypeptides, methods for preparing DPK polypeptides, and other related aspects.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides that specifically bind telomerase RNA. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.

Abstract: A method is provided for in vitro protein synthesis in a bacterial extract wherein the reaction mixture comprises a reducing agent and dissolved oxygen (DO.sub.2) wherein the DO.sub.2 concentration is regulated such that complete oxidation of the reducing agent concentration does not occur for a period of at least about 30 minutes following initiation of protein synthesis in the reaction mixture. Also provided is a method for in vitro protein synthesis in bacterial extracts wherein the reaction mixture comprises an initial methionine concentration of at least about 1.0 mM, or wherein the reaction mixture comprises both labeled and unlabeled methionine, and the initial concentration of unlabeled methionine is at least about 0.1 mM.

Abstract: This invention relates to amphipathic protein-1 polypeptides and genes encoding them. The amphipathic protein-1 polypeptides of the invention protect plants from tissue damage caused by the hypersensitive response, which is often elicited by bacterial infection in higher plants.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated gene and an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding human Bad and functional fragments thereof. Also provided is an isolated human Bad polypeptide and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying human Bad binding partners and methods of screening for compounds which interfere with the association of human Bad interacting polypeptides with human Bad are also provided. Finally, methods for decreasing or increasing the viability of a cell are provided as well.